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United Way Charity Car Show

Maddy Hayden, Carlsbad
Published 3:56 p.m. MT Sept. 19, 2015

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Zayden Fleischman, 5, laughs as he looks under the hood of a truck owned by Rex Muncrief of Las Cruces at the United Way Charity Car Show on Saturday in downtown Carlsbad.(Photo: MADDY HAYDEN &#8212; CURRENT&#45;ARGUS)

CARLSBAD >> Attendance at the 26th annual United Way Charity Car Show may have been less than usual, but those who did venture out didn't let the threat of rain dampen their spirits.

"They won't melt," Bob Springer, a member of the Carlsbad Automotive Restoration Society, said while standing next to his blue 1955 Ford pickup.

His wife, Joy Springer, said there were 37 entries for the show, down from the 50 to 80 they have had in previous years.

"This killed our Roswell people from coming down and killed our Hobbs people from coming down," she said of the weather. "Those are our people that always come."

She said a chance of hail had also been predicted for the morning hours on Saturday.

Although the rain didn't bother Bob Springer, he understood why some didn't make the trip to Carlsbad.

"If you've spent $5,000 on new upholstery and it leaks and stains, I guess you would worry about something like that. You don't worry about something that's old and original," he said. "If you put a lot of time and money into something, you don't want it getting poured or hailed on."

Gary and Pam Fletcher of Carlsbad brought along their renovated, bright red 1934 Dodge pickup, but stayed wary of the weather.

"I'm going to boogie home as soon as I can," Gary Fletcher said.

The Fletchers said they enjoy not only the vehicles at car shows, but the camaraderie that comes with them.

"Everybody's got a story about a car," said Gary Fletcher, adding they are great events to bring children to.

Director of United Way of Carlsbad and South Eddy County Linda Dodd stayed positive, even with the foreboding gray skies.

"I think the turnout is great," she said.

"This is a great opportunity for the community to get out."

After 26 years of bringing car enthusiasts together, the car show organizers, Carlsbad Automotive Restoration Society, know that the event benefits a great charity.